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Devotional for April 18, 2020

Brought into the Kingdom

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." (Colossians 1:13 NIV)


As the news of the economies of certain states possibly being able to open up again soon begins to make itself manifest, we are seeing, more and more, the "light at the end of the tunnel."

However, in some ways, we are admittedly still in darkness: although it is not yet official, many schools will continue to be closed for the rest of the school year. While some businesses are slowly opening up, others remain closed. Major local events, especially festivals, sporting events, and events held at local venues and arenas, have all been cancelled. Many churches still wait for safe conditions for being able to meet together in person. Certain families remain without a source of income. Conditions in certain homes remain uncertain, even a bit perilous. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty all around, and still quite a bit of darkness, as we continue to face the unknown that lies ahead.

Yet, in the midst of this continued uncertainty and darkness, there is one thing that still remains certain: God sent His Son to die for us and rise again, to destroy the power of sin and death, to give us eternal life, and to bring us into His Kingdom, in which we are living now. We are living in the current world, and its doubt and uncertainty with the pandemic, but we are also living in the Kingdom  of God. And in the Kingdom, God remains fully supreme and in control. The powers of darkness, uncertainty, and death are already destroyed in God's Kingdom.

This means that, although life is certainly uncertain right now, we already know what the outcome is going to be: God is already victorious, because we are in His Kingdom. He is going to restore things to how they once were again, because He already restored things long ago by the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is going to bring an end to the coronavirus, because He has already defeated the powers of death. He is going to bring an end to the effects of the pandemic, because He has already defeated the powers of darkness. He is going to rescue us from perilous situations, because He already rescued us from the most perilous situation - eternal death - by the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is going to bring an end to all our sufferings, because Jesus already took on our sufferings and defeated them on the cross. He is going to restore life to how it was - and, indeed, make it better than it was - because Jesus brought new life by His resurrection. We are in God's Kingdom - and He is ultimately going to win the victory, because He has already won the victory.

Dear God, thank you that you reign supreme, are always in control, and that I am part of your Kingdom, even in the midst of uncertainty. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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